Pawl bar assembly

ABSTRACT

A removable pawl bar assembly is disclosed for use in dishwashing apparatus. The pawl bar mechanism is disposed in the dishwasher housing for reciprocating movement relative to inlet and outlet ends of the housing and is cooperable with receptacle means for articles to be cleaned to advance the receptacle means, intermittently, in the direction from the inlet toward the outlet end of the housing. Means is provided to support the opposite ends of the pawl bar assembly in a manner whereby the assembly can be reciprocated within the housing and is readily removable from the housing simply by lifting the assembly from the support means and withdrawing the assembly through an access opening in the housing.

United States Patent 1191 Messersmith [73] Assignee: Synthane-Taylor Corporation,

Valley Forge, Pa. [22] Filed: May 17, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 254,180

14 1 Jan. 29, 1974 Primary Examiner-Even C. Blunk Assistant Examiner-Douglas D. Watts- Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Meyer, Tilberry & Body [5 7] ABSTRACT A removable pawl bar assembly is disclosed for use in dishwashing apparatus. The pawl bar mechanism is disposed in the dishwasher housing for reciprocating movement relative to inlet and outlet ends of the (SI. 198E235}, housing and is cooperable with receptacle means for [58] d 4 ll 65 articles to be cleaned to advance the receptacle 0 earc 134/83 means, intermittently, in the direction from the inlet toward the outlet end of the housing. Means is provided to support the opposite ends of the pawl bar as- [56] References cued sembly in a manner whereby the assembly can be re- UNITED STATES PATENTS ciprocated within the housing and is readily removable 2,550,523 4/195! Borgerding 198/221 from the housing simply by lifting the assembly from 1,630,106 8/1928 Mallning 134/165UX the support means and withdrawing the assembly 2,432,852 12/1947 Arv1dson a 198/218 x through an access opening in the housing 2,83l,569 4/1958 Cagle l98/224 7 (Zlaims, 3 Drawing Figures l l I o I 14 o e 4 7 r I /46 0 K 28 3o 1 ,j1/11s 1 2 Z l 94 80.5,6'55 50 7a 7 @711 1L 1 P 1 7 3 o 38 :2 I, "'6 w 1 82/ 6 I? 3 l1 '56 H1 56 54 llj;i J Y 92 59 i l 76 591'24"' I| 10a 22 1 1! I ll {2 1 1! }I h 20 h 1} ll PAWL BAR ASSEMBLY This invention relates to the art of article washing apparatus and, more particularly, to a pawl bar mechanism by which an article receptacle is advanced intermittently through the apparatus.

Article washing apparatus has been provided heretofore which is of the character including a housing having a chamber or chambers through which articles to be washed and/or rinsed are advanced intermittently from an inlet end of the housing toward an outlet end of the housing. Generally, liquid sprays and other washing and/or rinsing means are provided in the chamber means within the housing to achieve cleansing and rinsing of the articles as theymove through the chamber means. In certain instances, the articles are disposed and supported in receptacle means such as wire trays and are moved through the chamber means by conveyor means which cooperates with the receptacle means to impart intermittent movement thereto in the direction from the inlet towards the outlet end of the housing.

In certain instances the conveyor means is defined by pawl bar means extending in the direction between the inlet and outlet ends of the washer housing. Such pawl bar mechanisms generally include elongated bar means having a plurality of pawl bar dog elements pivotally attached thereto at spaced apart points along the length thereof. A portion of the pawl bar dog elements project above the upper edge of the support bar so as to engage cooperablemeans on the bottom of the article receptacle in a manner whereby advancement of the pawl bar mechanism imparts corresponding advancement to the receptacle. Further, such a-pawl bar mechanism includes stop means associated with each pawl bar dog to permit pivotal movement of the dog in one direction about its pivot axis and to limit pivotal movement thereof in the opposite direction about its pivot axis. Such stop means assures proper positioning of the projecting portion of the pawl bar dog elements to engage the article receptacle means while providing for the projecting portions to be cammed out of engagement with the receptacle means in response to reciprocating movement of the bar in the direction opposite to the direction for advancement'of the receptacle means. Such pivotal movement of the pawl bar dog elements permits the latter to be repositioned behind the next adjacent cooperating portion of the receptacle means so that the receptacle means is advanced another step when the pawl bar means is again moved in the direction of advancement. Thus, by reciprocating the pawl bar'means forwardly and rearwardly relative to .the housing means, the article receptacle and articles therein are advanced step by step in the direction from the inlet of the chamber means toward the outlet thereof; When a given article receptacle has been so advanced through the chamber or chambers in the housing means, the articles therein have been subjected to a desired washing and/or rinsing operation.

Pawl bar mechanisms of the above character are desirable in that they are reasonably simple to construct and reasonably economical from the standpoint of production and maintenance. It will be appreciated that removal of the pawl bar mechanism from within the housing of the cleaning apparatus is highly desirable. in this respect, removal of the pawl bar mechanism not only facilitates the cleaning and maintenance thereof but also provides greater access to the interior of the chamber means in the housing for cleaning and maintenance thereof. In this respect, removal of the pawl bar mechanism eliminates an element from within the housing which would otherwise define obstruction means therein.

Pawl bar mechanisms employed heretofore in conjunction with article cleaning apparatus such as dishwashing apparatus, have not been associated with the apparatus in a manner whereby removal thereof is readily facilitated. In this respect, the mechanisms heretofore known have been mounted and supported within the apparatus by means such as mechanical fastener elements which must be physically manipulated to achieve release of the pawl bar mechanism for removal from the apparatus. In other instances, the pawl bar mechanisms may be permanently mounted within V the apparatus. Where the mechanisms are mounted within the apparatus by mechanical fastener means, or the like, it will be appreciated that a considerable expenditure of time and energy is involved in achieving removal of the mechanism from the apparatus. Moreover, such removal must be achieved by manipulating the fastener elements by hand or by the use of tools introduced into the apparatus through access openings therein, whereby there'exists the likelihood that the fastener elements and/or tools while being manipulated within a small amount of working space will be dropped into the apparatus. This further impedes the removal operation. Further, it will be appreciated that in the operation of the apparatus extremely hot liquids are employed in the washingand/or rinsing operations and that the components of the cleaning apparatus including the housing become extremely hot. Accordingly, if it is desired to remove the pawl bar mechanism following operation of the apparatus, it is necessary to wait for the apparatus and its components to cool sufficiently for handling thereof, including the manipulation of fastener components, to be achieved without subjecting the person handling'these components to discomfort and possible injury as a result of handling hot metal.

It will be appreciated in view of the foregoing, that it would be most desirable to provide cleaning apparatus of the above character with a pawl bar mechanism which is readily removable from the apparatus without the manipulation of fastener components, thus to save time in the removal operation and to permit removal at any time such as immediately after operation of the apparatus. Such removability of a pawl bar mechanism is achieved in accordance with the present invention by providing for opposite ends of the pawl bar mechanism to be supported within the apparatus in a manner whereby separation of the pawl bar mechanism from the support means therefor is readily achieved without manipulation of fastener components. More particularly, the opposite ends of the pawl bar mechanism are disposed on support means from which the corresponding end of the pawl bar mechanism can readily be vertically lifted to achieve separation and removal. In a preferred embodiment, one end of the pawl bar mechanism is slidably disposed on support surface means and the other end is readily releasably associated with actuator means by which the pawl bar mechanism is reciprocated within the cleaning apparatus. With regard to a narrower aspect of the present invention, the latter end of the pawl bar mechanism is provided with pin means and the pawl bar reciprocating mechanism is provided with slot means in which the pin means is adapted to seat. The support surface means adapted to slidably support one end of the pawl bar mechanism and the slot and pin means by which the other end of the mechanism is supported provide for removal of the pawl bar mechanism to be readily achieved simply by vertically lifting the pawl bar mechanism from the support means and withdrawing the mechanism through an access opening in the apparatus. Thus, removal of the pawl bar mechanism can readily be achieved without the delays heretofore encountered.

Accordingly, it is an outstanding object of the present invention to provide article cleaning apparatus with a pawl bar mechanism more readily removable from the apparatus than heretoforepossible.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of apparatus of the above character in which the pawl bar mechanism is supported within the apparatus in a manner whereby the pawl bar mechanism is readily separable from the support means therefor.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of apparatus of the above character in which the pawl bar mechanism is removably supported within the apparatus free of fastening components.

Yet a further object of the present invention is the provision of apparatus of the above character in which the pawl bar mechanism is removable from its support means without the necessity of removing fastening elements therebetween.

Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of apparatus of the above character in which the pawl bar mechanism is readily removable from the apparatus merely by lifting the mechanism from its support means and withdrawing the mechanism from the cleaning apparatus.

The foregoing objects and others will in part by obvious and in part more fully-pointed out hereinafter in conjunction with the description of the drawing of a preferred embodiment of the present invention and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view, partially in section, of cleaning apparatus having a pawl bar mechanism removably supported therein in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, the section being taken along line 2--2 in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an. exploded perspective view of the pawl bar mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Referring now in greater detail to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention only and not for the purpose of limiting the same, cleaning apparatus is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2' in the form of dishwasher apparatus comprised of housing means 12. The housing means may be constructed in any suitable manner and includes front wall means 14, rear wall means 16 and top wall means 18. Housing means 12 further includes bottom wall means defined by receptacle means and 22 having laterally extending inner wall portions 24 and 26 thereof, respectively, dis posed in abuting relationship. Receptacle means 20 and 22 together extend from one end of housing means 12 to the other and extend laterally of the housing means between front and rear wall means 14 and 16. Receptacle means 20 and 22 define sump means for washing and rinsing liquids, respectively, which are employed in the cleaning of articles transferred through the apparatus. Wall means 14, 16 and 18 together with receptacle means 22 define chamber means within housing means 12, which chamber means in the embodiment illustrated includes a washing portion 28 and a rinsing portion 30 respectively overlying receptacle means 20 and 22.

The opposite ends of housing means 12 between front and rear wall means 14 and 16 are open to define an inlet end 32 and an outlet end 34 for the housing means. As set forth more fully hereinafter, receptacle means for supporting articles to be cleaned are introduced into housing means 12 through inlet end 32 and are removed from-the housing means through outlet I end 34 at the completion of the washing and/or rinsing operations. Inlet end 32 may be provided with suitable hood means 36 and support means 38 to facilitate introducing article supporting receptacle means into the housing means. Hood means 36 helps retain the cleaning fluid within the housing means during a cleaning operation and, to further facilitate liquid retention, suitable screen or curtain means 40 may be provided across inlet end 32 of the housing means. Outlet end 34 of housing means 12 may similarly be provided with hood means 42, support means 44 and screen or curtain means 46. It will be appreciated, of course, that liquid supply and circulating means, not illustrated, will be provided within housing means 12 to facilitate the circulation of cleaning and/or rinsing liquid relative to articles to becleaned therein.

Pawl bar means is disposed within housing means 12 and accordingly, in the chamber means therein. More particularly, pawl bar means 50 is supported in substantially horizontal disposition to extend from a point adjacent inlet end 32 of housing means 12 to a point adjacent outlet end 34 thereof. Moreover, pawl bar means 50 extends along an axis which is substantially centrally located relative to front and rear wall means 14 and 16 of housing means 12. Pawl bar means 50 is adapted to be reciprocated longitudinally and to cooperatively engage article support means 52 in a manner whereby the latter is advanced intermittently from inlet end 32 of housing means 12 toward outlet end 34 thereof in response to reciprocating movement of the pawl bar means.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, pawl bar means 50 is comprised of a pair of parallel pawl bar elements 54 disposed on opposite sides of a plurality of pawl bar dog components 56 which are interconnected with pawl bars 54 so as to be pivotal relative thereto. More particularly, pawl bars 54 are provided along their upper edges with pairs of aligned apertures 58 corresponding to the number of dog elements in the assembly. Further, pawl bars 54 are provided along their lower edges with opposed pairs of aligned apertures 60 corresponding to the number of dog elements therebetween. Each dog element is provided adjacent its upper end with an aperture 62 adapted to be aligned with a corresponding pair of apertures 58in pawl bars 54. Pawl bars 54 are adapted to be interconnectedand dog elements 56 pivotally associated therewith by pivot pin means extending through a corresponding pair of apertures 58 in the pawl bars and aperture 62in a dog element. Further, pin means 59 are adapted to be associated with corresponding pairs of apertures 60 in pawl bars 54 to define stop pin means for each of the dog elements.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the pivot pin means associated with pawl bar apertures 58 and dog apertures 62 in certain instances are defined by sleeve means 64 and bolt means 66. In this respect, sleeve means 64 is pivotally disposed in aperture 62 of a dog element and bolt means 66 extends through pawl bar apertures 58 and sleeve 64. Nut and washer means 68 serves to draw pawl means 54 into tight engagement with opposite ends of sleeve means 64, whereby dog element 56 is pivotal relative to pawl bars- 54 and the pawl bars are interconnected against lateral separation by the nut and bolt means. It will be appreciated that nut and bolt means need only be employed at a few points along the length of pawl bar means 54 and, accordingly, in other instances the pivot pin means associated with pawl bar apertures 58 and dog apertures 62 is defined by an integral pin component 70 having an intermediate portion 72 of slightly less diameter than that of dog aperture 62, and end portions 74 having a diameter corresponding to that of pawl bar apertures 58. When the pawl bar elements are interconnected by the nut and bolt means it will be appreciated that pin means 70 are retained therebetween to pivotally support the corresponding dog component. The pin means associated with pawl bar apertures 60 to define stop elements for the dog components correspond in structure either to the pin means' defined by sleeve 64, bolts 66 and washer and nut means 68, or to the integral pin means 70. Thus, a detailed description of the stop pin means is not necessary.

With reference again to FIG. 1 of the drawing, it will be seen that each pawl bar dog component 56 is normally disposed with lower end 76 thereof in engagement with the corresponding stop pin means 59 which accordingly limits counterclockwise pivotal movement of the dog component. Further, it will be seen that each dog element is adapted to pivot clockwise relative to pivot pin means 55 in a manner whereby the upper end 78 thereof which normally projects above the upper edge of pawl bars 54 will move downwardly relative to the upper edge of the pawl bars. Further, the spacing of the pawl bar dog components along the axis of the pawl bars is such that clockwise pivotal movement of the dogs is limited by engagement thereof with an adjacent dog element so as to prevent complete clockwise pivotal movement of a dog into an improper disposition relative to the pawl bar elements. Pawl bar dog element 56' at one end of the assembly does not, of course, have a succeeding dog member to engage in the manner just described and, accordingly, stop pin means 80 is disposed at this end of the assembly and between pawl bar elements 54 to limit clockwise pivotal movement of dog element 56'.

Ends 82 of pawl bar elements 54 are the leading end thereof and are disposed adjacent housing outlet 34 when the pawl bas assembly is in its mounted disposition within the housing means. As illustrated in FIG. 3, ends 82 of pawl bar elements 54 are provided with aligned apertures 84 adapted to receive the opposite ends of mounting pin means 86 when the pawl bar elements are interconnected in the manner hereinabove described. Pin means 86 includes an intermediate spacer portion 88 and cylindrical end portions 90 extending from opposite sides of intermediate portion 88 and having diameters corresponding with the diameters of openings 84 in the pawl bars. Further, end portions 90 have an axial extent which is greater than the thickness of the corresponding pawl bar 54, whereby end portions extend axially outwardly from the outer surface of the corresponding pawl bar 54 for the purpose set forth more fully hereinafter.

The manner in which pawl bar assembly 50 is removably supported within housing means 12 is best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing. In this respect, housing means 12 is provided at inlet end 32 thereof with U-shaped bracket means 92 having side portions 94 and 96 extending towards outlet end 34 of the housing and end portion 98which interconnects the corresponding ends of side portions 94 and 96 and is suitably interconnected with housing means 12. Support surface means in the form of roller means 100 extends between side portions 94 and 96 of bracket means 92 to define a support surface upon which the bottom edges of the corresponding ends of pawl bars 54 rest. The pawl bar assembly is horizontally movable relative to the axis of pin means 100 and, preferably, side means 94 and 96 include a portion extending upwardly from the-axis of roller means 100 a distance corresponding to approximately one-half the heighth of pawl bar elements 54, whereby the pawl bar assembly is supported against lateral displacement and is maintained in its vertical disposition by side portions 94 and 96.

The end of the pawl bar assembly adjacent outlet end 34 of housing means 12 is supported by pin means 86 and U-shaped bracket means 102 having side portions 104 and 106 extending toward inlet end 32 of the housing and end portion 108 interconnecting and extending between side portions 104 and 106. Side portions 104 and 106 are each provided with recess means 110 adapted to displacably receive the corresponding end portion 90 of pin means 86. Preferably, recess means 110 open vertically in the corresponding side portion to permit the corresponding end of the pawl bar assembly to be lifted vertically to achieve separation from bracket means 102. In the embodiment illustrated, bracket means 102 is connected to actuator means 1 13 in the form of a rod component extending through the corresponding end of housing means 12 for connection with suitable means for imparting reciprocable movement to'the pawl bar assembly, which means is not illustrated. The arrangement whereby pin means 86 is engaged with bracket means connected to an actuator rod provides a very desirable and convenient arrangement for both vertically displacably supporting the corresponding end of the pawl bar assembly and for imparting movement to the assembly. It will be appreciated, however, that any suitable pawl bar assembly reciprocating mechanism might be employed other than the specific structural arrangement illustrated. The arrangement illustrated further provides for the corresponding end of thepawl bar mechanism to be stably supported in its vertical disposition by the cooperative engagement of the pin and recess means.

The article support receptacle 52 adapted to be advanced through the apparatus in response to reciprocating movement of the pawl bar mechanism may be of any suitable design. For example, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, receptacle means 52 is in the form of a wire basket and includes a plurality of wire strands 1 12 extending laterally relative to the longitudinal axis of pawl bar assembly 50. The wire receptacle is further comprised of a plurality of longitudinally extending wire strands 114 and 116 which in this instance overlie strands 112 and which are suitably interconnected with strands 1 12 at the crossing point therebetween. Strands 112, 1 14 and 116 define the bottom of the wire receptacle, and the side portions and end portions of the wire strands are bent upwardly to define side and end portions for the receptacle. The strand portions defining the sides and ends of the receptacle may be suitably interconnected by peripherally extending strand components 1 18. Q

Receptacle means 52 is of a width laterally of the axis of pawl bar means 50 such that the side portions of the receptacle slidably rest on suitable side guide surface means 120 which may, for example, be defined by angle members suitably interconnected with corresponding wall portions of housing means 12 and extending longitudinally of the housing means from inlet 32 thereof to outlet end 34. The longituidnal central portion of receptacle means 52 defined by the portions of wire strands 112 between longitudinal strands 116 overlies the top surfaces of pawl bars 54 in such close proximity thereto as to assure engagement thereof by projecting portions 76'of dog elements 56. ln the embodiment illustrated, laterally extending strands 112 are longitudinally spaced apart such that alternate ones of the strands l 12 are engaged by the front edges 57 of succeeding pawl bar dog components 56. The longitudinal spacing between laterally extending wire strands 1 12 corresponds substantially to the longitudinal length of the reciprocating stroke of the pawl bar assembly and thus defines the longitudinal distance which receptacle means 52 moves in response to each stroke of the pawl bar mechanism. The time required for a given receptacle to be transported from inlet end 32 to outlet end 34 of housing means 12 is, of course, dependent on the length of the stroke of the pawl bar mechanism and the rate at which reciprocating movement is imparted to the pawl bar mechanism..The length of the stroke and rate of reciprocation are, of course, designed to provide for the articles being cleaned to have sufficient residence time in housing means 112 to assure the necessary cleaning and/r rinsing thereof.

In operation, receptacle means 52 with articles to be cleaned disposed therein is introduced into housing means 12 from inlet end 32 thereof and onto guide surface means 120. Actuator means 113 is then moved in the direction to advance pawl bar assembly 50 toward outlet end 34 of housing means 12 a distance corresponding to the advance stroke of the pawl bar mechanism. Actuator means 113 is then moved in the direction to return pawl bar mechanism 50 in the direction of inlet end 32 of housing means 12. During this movement, receptacle means 52 is maintained in its position longitudinally of housing means 12 by engagement thereof with guide surface means 120, and dog elements 56 are cammed to pivot clockwise by engagement of top portions 78 thereof with the rearwardly adjacent lateral strand 112 of the receptacle means. Thus, top portions 78 of dog elements 56 pass under the latter wire strands 112 and, when therebehind, are released to pivot counterclockwise by gravity so that the front faces 57 thereof engage behind the corresponding wire strands 112. Actuator means 113 is then again advanced to move the pawl bar mechanism in the direction of outlet end 34 of the housing means to move receptacle means 52 another step in the direction toward outlet end 34. Actuator means 113 is reciprocated in this manner to alternately advance and retract pawl bar assembly-50 until receptacle means 52 has been moved 8 through the washing and rinsing chambers within housing means 12.

When it is desired to remove the pawl bar assembly from housing 12, it is only necessary to vertically displace the end thereof adjacent outlet end 34 of the housing to separate pin means 86 from recess means and lift the opposite end from roller means 100. The assembly can then be withdrawn either through the inlet or outlet ends of the housing or through other access opening means such as might be provided in housing wall means 14 and ,16, for example. in any event removal is readily achieved without impediments such as would be defined by having to manipulate fastener or other mounting components. ln this respect, removal is achieved simply by reaching inside the housing, grasping and lifting the assembly and withdrawing the assembly from the housing. Assembly of the pawl bar mechanism with the support means therefor is likewise expedited by eliminating any impediments to mounting. Thus, mounting is achieved simply by positioning the opposite ends of the pawl bar mechanism relative to roller means 1M) and slot means 110 and lowering the ends into seating relationship with respect thereto.

Although considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the specific structures of the pawl bar mechanism and article receptacle means, it will be appreciated that other pawl bar structures and receptacle means could be employed to achieve advancement of articles to be cleaned through the'cleaning apparatus.

As many possible embodiments of the present invention may be made and as many changes may be made in the embodiment herein set forth, it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the present invention and not as a limitation.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. Dishwashing apparatus comprising, housing means having an inlet end and an outlet end and chamber means therebetween, means in said housing means for supporting receptacle means for articles to be cleaned, reciprocable pawl bar means having opposite ends and pivotal pawl means therebetween cooperatively engagable with receptacle means in said housing means to intermittently advance said receptacle means in the direction from said inlet end toward said outlet end, means to reciprocate said pawl bar means relative to said housing means, said reciprocating means including reciprocable support means in underlying engagement with one end of said pawl bar means, pin and recess means cooperably interengaging said reciprocable support means and said one end of said pawl bar means for said reciprocable support means to reciprocate said pawl bar means and for said one end to be freely liftable from said reciprocable support means, and support means underlying the other end of said pawl bar means and supporting said other end in said housing means for reciprocating movement of said pawl bar means relative to said housing means, said other end of said pawl bar means resting on said underlying support means therefor, whereby said pawl bar means can be freely lifted from and lowered into engagement with said underlying support means and reciprocable support means to facilitate removal and replacement of said pawl bar means with respect to said housing means.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means underlying said other end of said pawl bar means includes support surface means in said housing means on which said other end of said pawl bar means is slidably disposed.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said support surface means is roller means mounted on said housing means.

4. Dishwashing apparatus comprising, housing means having an inlet end and an outlet end and chamber means therebetween, means in said housing means for supporting receptacle means for articles to be cleaned, reciprocable pawl bar means having opposite ends and pivotal pawl means therebetween cooperatively engagable with receptacle means in said housing means to intermittently advance said receptacle means in the direction from said inlet end toward said outlet end, means to reciprocate said pawl bar means relative to said housing means, said reciprocating means including reciprocable support means in underlying engagement with one end of said pawl bar means, and support means underlying the other end of said pawl bar means and supporting said other end in said housing means for reciprocating movement of said pawl bar means relative to said housing means, said pawl bar means engaging only said underlying support means at said ends thereof, whereby said pawl bar means can be freely lifted from and lowered into engagement with said underlying support means to facilitate removal and replacement of said pawl bar means with respect to said housing means, said one end of said pawl bar means including pin means and said underlying means of said reciprocable support means being upwardly open recess means for said pin means.

5. Dishwashing apparatus comprising, housing means having an inlet end and an outlet end and chamber means therebetween, means in said housing means for supporting receptacle means for articles to be cleaned, reciprocable pawl bar means having opposite ends and pivotal pawl means therebetween cooperatively engagable with receptacle means in said housing means to intermittently advance said receptacle means in the direction from said inlet end toward said outlet end, means to reciprocate said pawl bar means relative to said housing means, said reciprocating means including reciprocable support means in underlying engagement with one end of said pawl bar means, and support means underlying the other end of said pawl bar means and supporting said other end in said housing means for reciprocating movement of said pawl bar means relative to said housing means, said pawl bar means engaging only said underlying support means at said ends thereof, whereby said pawl bar means can be freely lifted from and lowered into engagement with said underlying support means to facilitate removal and replacement of said pawl bar means with respect to said housing means, said support means underlying said other end of said pawl means including support surface means in said housing means on which said other end of said pawl bar means is slidably disposed, said one end of said pawl bar means including pin means and said underlying means of said reciprocable support means being upwardly open recess means for said pin means.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said support surface means is roller means mounted on said housing means.

7. Dishwashing apparatus comprising, a housing having an inlet end and an outlet end and chamber means therebetween, means in said housing for supporting receptacle means for articles to be cleaned, reciprocable pawl bar means having opposite ends disposed within said housing and pivotal pawl means between said opposite' ends cooperatively engagable with receptacle means in said housing to intermittently advance said receptacle means in the direction from said inlet end toward said outlet end, means to reciprocate said pawl bar means relative to said housing, said reciprocating means including reciprocable rod means having an inner end disposed in said housing, a support member on said inner end of said rod means and including spaced apart sidewalls adapted to receive one end of said pawl bar means therebetween, upwardly open recesses in said sidewalls, pin means on said one end of said pawl bar means receivable in said recesses, roller means supported within said housing and underlying the other end of said pawl bar means, said roller means supporting said other end in said housing for reciprocating movement of said pawl bar means relative to said housing, said pawl bar means engaging only said roller means and upwardly open recesses, whereby said pawl bar means can be freely lifted from and lowered into engagement therewith to facilitate removal and replacement of said pawl bar means with respect to said housing. 

1. Dishwashing apparatus comprising, housing means having an inlet end and an outlet end and chamber means therebetween, means in said housing means for supporting receptacle means for articles to be cleaned, reciprocable pawl bar means having opposite ends and pivotal pawl means therebetween cooperatively engagable with receptacle means in said housing means to intermittently advance said receptacle means in the direction from said inlet end toward said outlet end, means to reciprocate said pawl bar means relative to said housing means, said reciprocating means including reciprocable support means in underlying engagement with one end of said pawl bar means, pin and recess means cooperably interengaging said reciprocable support mEans and said one end of said pawl bar means for said reciprocable support means to reciprocate said pawl bar means and for said one end to be freely liftable from said reciprocable support means, and support means underlying the other end of said pawl bar means and supporting said other end in said housing means for reciprocating movement of said pawl bar means relative to said housing means, said other end of said pawl bar means resting on said underlying support means therefor, whereby said pawl bar means can be freely lifted from and lowered into engagement with said underlying support means and reciprocable support means to facilitate removal and replacement of said pawl bar means with respect to said housing means.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means underlying said other end of said pawl bar means includes support surface means in said housing means on which said other end of said pawl bar means is slidably disposed.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said support surface means is roller means mounted on said housing means.
 4. Dishwashing apparatus comprising, housing means having an inlet end and an outlet end and chamber means therebetween, means in said housing means for supporting receptacle means for articles to be cleaned, reciprocable pawl bar means having opposite ends and pivotal pawl means therebetween cooperatively engagable with receptacle means in said housing means to intermittently advance said receptacle means in the direction from said inlet end toward said outlet end, means to reciprocate said pawl bar means relative to said housing means, said reciprocating means including reciprocable support means in underlying engagement with one end of said pawl bar means, and support means underlying the other end of said pawl bar means and supporting said other end in said housing means for reciprocating movement of said pawl bar means relative to said housing means, said pawl bar means engaging only said underlying support means at said ends thereof, whereby said pawl bar means can be freely lifted from and lowered into engagement with said underlying support means to facilitate removal and replacement of said pawl bar means with respect to said housing means, said one end of said pawl bar means including pin means and said underlying means of said reciprocable support means being upwardly open recess means for said pin means.
 5. Dishwashing apparatus comprising, housing means having an inlet end and an outlet end and chamber means therebetween, means in said housing means for supporting receptacle means for articles to be cleaned, reciprocable pawl bar means having opposite ends and pivotal pawl means therebetween cooperatively engagable with receptacle means in said housing means to intermittently advance said receptacle means in the direction from said inlet end toward said outlet end, means to reciprocate said pawl bar means relative to said housing means, said reciprocating means including reciprocable support means in underlying engagement with one end of said pawl bar means, and support means underlying the other end of said pawl bar means and supporting said other end in said housing means for reciprocating movement of said pawl bar means relative to said housing means, said pawl bar means engaging only said underlying support means at said ends thereof, whereby said pawl bar means can be freely lifted from and lowered into engagement with said underlying support means to facilitate removal and replacement of said pawl bar means with respect to said housing means, said support means underlying said other end of said pawl means including support surface means in said housing means on which said other end of said pawl bar means is slidably disposed, said one end of said pawl bar means including pin means and said underlying means of said reciprocable support means being upwardly open recess means for said pin means.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said support surface means is roller means mounted on said housing means.
 7. Dishwashing apparatus comprising, a housing having an inlet end and an outlet end and chamber means therebetween, means in said housing for supporting receptacle means for articles to be cleaned, reciprocable pawl bar means having opposite ends disposed within said housing and pivotal pawl means between said opposite ends cooperatively engagable with receptacle means in said housing to intermittently advance said receptacle means in the direction from said inlet end toward said outlet end, means to reciprocate said pawl bar means relative to said housing, said reciprocating means including reciprocable rod means having an inner end disposed in said housing, a support member on said inner end of said rod means and including spaced apart sidewalls adapted to receive one end of said pawl bar means therebetween, upwardly open recesses in said sidewalls, pin means on said one end of said pawl bar means receivable in said recesses, roller means supported within said housing and underlying the other end of said pawl bar means, said roller means supporting said other end in said housing for reciprocating movement of said pawl bar means relative to said housing, said pawl bar means engaging only said roller means and upwardly open recesses, whereby said pawl bar means can be freely lifted from and lowered into engagement therewith to facilitate removal and replacement of said pawl bar means with respect to said housing. 